Autumn Weather Means Football...and an Increased Risk of Fire | SERVPRO of Bartow County

9/22/2021 (Permalink)

Be mindful about fall fire safety. Always remember that SERVPRO of Bartow County is the trusted leader in the restoration industry.

Anybody else tired of the intense heat of summer? While it might not feel like it quite yet, fall is quickly approaching! It officially begins on Sept. 22 this year. 

As fall sets in, the evenings are starting to cool. The oppressive humidity is dropping as the seasons begin to change. Football is being played everywhere, and people are making plans to go camping. Fall is perfect for many fun activities. But as seasons change, so do the fire risks; each season brings its own potential fire hazards as outdoor activities begin. So grab a pumpkin spice latte, and let’s assess the fire risk for the season.

- Fire Pits, Grilling and Campfires -

• Fire pits see increased usage as we spend more fall evenings outdoors and grills are used at tailgates and at home.
• Make sure your grill is cleaned of excess grease before starting it this fall. Failing to clean the grill properly, removing grease specifically, is the No. 1 cause for grill fires.
• Building a campfire is almost as important as knowing how to properly extinguish it. Use a match or lighter to set fire to dry leaves or twigs, then add dry wood and bigger sticks.
• Never use an accelerant like kerosene or lighter fluid. Your fire should be built away from structures and out from under trees.
• Make sure to extinguish the fire completely with water and ensure no embers are left. Any embers you leave behind can start up again with the right breeze.

- Yard Cleanup and Pruning -

• Even though the best time to trim shrubs and trees is just prior to spring, many homeowners do this activity in the fall of the year. Your yard is almost certainly full of dry, brown leaves, and many people like to burn them as a disposal method.
• This is fine, provided it’s legal in your area, but only burn leaves in an area that can be controlled and have a water source that can reach the fire if needed.

- Precautions for Space Heaters -

• Make sure to take the proper precautions with portable space heaters. They are one of the most frequent causes of home fires in fall and winter.
• Keep your heater away from anything flammable on any side. Ensure it has the proper safety mechanisms such as an automatic shutoff should the heater be tipped over or overheat.

- Halloween -

We’ll share more on this later in an upcoming blog post, but candles, decorations and even costumes can be fire hazards. Be attentive and responsible as you celebrate Halloween.

*If your Cartersville or Acworth home should suffer fire or smoke damage, remember the trusted leader in the fire restoration and recovery industry...SERVPRO of Bartow County. You can contact SERVPRO of Bartow County at (770) 387-7455 to get your property fully restored, including odor removal that will make that annoying smoke smell “Like it never even happened.”